Adventure race sparks healthier lifestyle at school

Published: Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, April 26, 2013 at 3:49 p.m.

Tired of selling cookies, calendars and other items to relatives as part of his child's school fundraising efforts, Rodney Robinson sat down with parents at Mountain Community School in Hendersonville and came up with something totally out of the box.

What emerged was “The Gnarliest Kids Adventure Race Ever.” Unbeknownst at the time was that this idea would jump-start a healthy revolution within the walls of the public charter school.

The race, which debuted last year, is becoming a staple at the school and is already its biggest fundraiser. The second race will take place at 1 p.m. on May 5, and students have been thinking about it since last year's event ended. Two-children teams of kids ages 5-14 tackle a race that includes nine outdoor sports such as mountain biking, running, canoeing, hiking, a ropes course, climbing wall and a grand finale obstacle.

“It was a good way to introduce activities we have around here to kids,” said Principal Denise Pesce.

The world inside the school also changed. In the wake of the success of the race, Pesce hired two part-time physical education teachers. The school already had some P.E., but the additions of the etachers made even more readily available.

Since “the Gnar,” as students call it, the school has changed its lunch program and incorporated activities to promote a healthy lifestyle.

The school has done away with fast food options and contracted with Joey's Bagels for healthier menu options. Kids can eat whole wheat pasta and salad. In the mornings, instead of muffins for sale, kids can buy veggie and fruit smoothies.

“We didn't really want the Gnar to represent an isolated event,” Pesce said. “I feel like the Gnar set the tone a little bit for us. We were just kind of riding the wave.”

The Gnar has that effect, Robinson said. It created so much excitement that some of the kids have trained year-round for the event. The school also has a bicycle club, is about to implement a running club and holds running events throughout the year.

A lot of that was generated by the Gnar.

“It created that buzz of getting active,” Robinson said.

He and other organizers have created a “word-class” race course at Camp Pinnacle. The event draws kids from all over North Carolina. Nine of the events are kept secret until race day.

Each grade level at the school is responsible for one portion of the race, and parents and teachers of that grade level volunteer to set up their portion of the course.

It's more than a race, however. It's an extension of school, Pesce said.

“These kinds of opportunities are so important,” she said. “I feel it's important to give them these opportunities to do outdoor things. We're really trying to take advantage of this outdoor classroom we have here.”

For more information about the race, visit http://themountaincommunityschool.com/gnar.htm.

<p>Tired of selling cookies, calendars and other items to relatives as part of his child's school fundraising efforts, Rodney Robinson sat down with parents at Mountain Community School in Hendersonville and came up with something totally out of the box.</p><p>What emerged was “The Gnarliest Kids Adventure Race Ever.” Unbeknownst at the time was that this idea would jump-start a healthy revolution within the walls of the public charter school.</p><p>The race, which debuted last year, is becoming a staple at the school and is already its biggest fundraiser. The second race will take place at 1 p.m. on May 5, and students have been thinking about it since last year's event ended. Two-children teams of kids ages 5-14 tackle a race that includes nine outdoor sports such as mountain biking, running, canoeing, hiking, a ropes course, climbing wall and a grand finale obstacle. </p><p>“It was a good way to introduce activities we have around here to kids,” said Principal Denise Pesce. </p><p>The world inside the school also changed. In the wake of the success of the race, Pesce hired two part-time physical education teachers. The school already had some P.E., but the additions of the etachers made even more readily available. </p><p>Since “the Gnar,” as students call it, the school has changed its lunch program and incorporated activities to promote a healthy lifestyle. </p><p>The school has done away with fast food options and contracted with Joey's Bagels for healthier menu options. Kids can eat whole wheat pasta and salad. In the mornings, instead of muffins for sale, kids can buy veggie and fruit smoothies. </p><p>“We didn't really want the Gnar to represent an isolated event,” Pesce said. “I feel like the Gnar set the tone a little bit for us. We were just kind of riding the wave.”</p><p>The Gnar has that effect, Robinson said. It created so much excitement that some of the kids have trained year-round for the event. The school also has a bicycle club, is about to implement a running club and holds running events throughout the year.</p><p>A lot of that was generated by the Gnar.</p><p>“It created that buzz of getting active,” Robinson said.</p><p>He and other organizers have created a “word-class” race course at Camp Pinnacle. The event draws kids from all over North Carolina. Nine of the events are kept secret until race day. </p><p>Each grade level at the school is responsible for one portion of the race, and parents and teachers of that grade level volunteer to set up their portion of the course. </p><p>It's more than a race, however. It's an extension of school, Pesce said.</p><p>“These kinds of opportunities are so important,” she said. “I feel it's important to give them these opportunities to do outdoor things. We're really trying to take advantage of this outdoor classroom we have here.”</p><p>For more information about the race, visit http://themountaincommunityschool.com/gnar.htm.</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>